Two Dragons

The “Dragon” carpets are hailed as some of the most exquisite examples from the Garabagh carpet school. They feature a unique design, often showcasing various mystical animals. These types of rugs were predominantly woven in Garabagh, Shirvan, and Guba between the 16th and 18th centuries. Some textile fragments adorned with dragon motifs have survived from the Ilkhanid period (13th-14th centuries). In Azerbaijani decorative-applied art, the dragon image alone symbolizes positive energy and represents water sources in Azerbaijani folk literature.

In ancient Turkic mythology, dragons like “Büke,” “Evren,” “Kök-luu,” and “Abyrga” symbolize might and power. Historical sources mention the “Dragon City” of the ancient Huns. In Kipchak culture, the “Begsha” dragon symbolized the family hearth. Additionally, several pile and flat-woven carpets from the Safavid period also feature dragon motifs.